Fraxinus Angustifolia (Ash) 'Raywood'

This ash cultivar was introduced to Britain from Australia in the mid 1920s.

Referred to by many as oxycarpa rather than angustifolia it won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002 and 1978. However, in my opinion Fraxinus americana Autumn Purple is a far safer bet due to its structural strength.

A fast growing ash of medium height and with a dense, upright, oval and relatively compact habit.

It tolerates drier soils than Common Ash and its dark green leaves turn wine red in the autumn.

This is a good choice for avenue and street plantings, and it bears soil compaction well.

Its Achilles heel is the lack of strength of its branch unions which make it a mechanically weak tree and prone to collapsing over time.

Mature height: 10-15m